The World

Spain told the United States that it will not renew a defense accord that has allowed American troops and military facilities on Spanish soil for the past 34 years, Foreign Ministry sources said in Madrid. The notification came shortly after the start of the seventh round of talks on eliminating part of the American military presence in Spain, said the sources, speaking on condition of anonymity. Spanish negotiators gave the U.S. delegation six months' notice of their intent to not renew the agreement, they said. The negotiations began 16 months ago. They have stalled over a Spanish demand that the United States withdraw an Air Force fighter wing of 72 aircraft from Torrejon Air Base outside Madrid.